10 Things To Look Out For In The 2013 Season

As we embark on the 2013 season, there are lots of exciting developments. Look out for these 10 things throughout the season! Comment what you think, plus if you have any extra things to look out for!

1) Teammate Battles

After a good few years of static team line-ups at the front of the grid, McLaren and Mercedes, along with mid-field teams Force India and Sauber have had a re-shuffle, making some fresh new team mate battles. 

Many will consider Mercedes to have the strongest line-up this year, and the battle between Hamilton and Rosberg will be an incredible comparison. Perez is McLaren’s new boy, many were surprised Hulkenberg or di Resta weren’t more closely considered, but against Button entering his fourteenth season shall be a massive contrast. Lastly, a big season for the Force India drivers. If Sutil wants to justify his return he needs to perform big, but if di Resta wants to be considered for a top team drive, he needs to grab some headlines like Perez last year, which between that and commercial opportunities may have been why he was overlooked. 

Let the battles commence! 

Nico Rosberg & Lewis Hamilton Will Be Teammates Again Pictured Here In Their Karting Days Together

2) Grosjean/Crash Colleagues
Despite his speed and occasional brilliant performances, Grosjean will be remembered in 2012 for his first lap crashes. Lotus team principle Eric Boullier believes the Frenchman has the potential to be a future world champion. Big words. Nevertheless, despite the odd incident, I am hopeful he and pals such as Maldonado have learnt lessons and nobody will be in the headlines as often or receive a race ban... *crosses fingers*


3) Rookies
Bottas for Williams, Gutierrez for Sauber, van der Garde for Caterham and both Chilton and now Bianchi for Marussia. Five rookies after the departure of Petrov, Kovalainen, Kobayashi, Glock & Schumacher; as well as the HRT team now disappeared. Because of the teams they are in, they're effectively split into two categories. Bottas and Gutierrez will be in the midfield rookie comparison, and the others in the back of the grid comparisons. For me, Bottas will be stronger than Gutierrez after his free practice sessions in 2012, whilst Bianchi already looks far ahead of Chilton and van der Garde. 

4) Massa & Webber's 2014 Seats
These two top of the grid seats have been under speculation for a number of years. Massa in particular had a poor 2012 before showing signs of the 2008 title challenging Massa. Now amazingly entering his eighth year as a Ferrari driver, he needs to justify his one year extension for the world's most famous racing team. Webber challenged for the title in 2010 but has come up short in 2011 and 2012, I haven't doubted his position the last few seasons, but if he comes up short this season, or Red Bull see more potential in a junior Toro Rosso or other, he will struggle to get yet another rolling one-year extension himself. 

Look out for their position in the championship table and for performances from those wanting their seats!

Will Ricciardo Replace His Fellow Australian?

5) Bahrain Political Position/Number Of Grand Prix
There is no talk of Bahrain being off so far, after months and months of it for the 2012 season. Remember, if we didn't go to Bahrain in 2012 and Vettel didn't get 25 points for winning, Alonso would be champion. Just proves how many if's and buts there are in this sport. What is the New Jersey race was included this year would that make a difference? 

Bahrain is firmly on the calender at the moment, but keep an eye out for this space just incase.


6) What Grand Prix You Want Exiled/8) How Many New Tracks Will Be On The 2014 Calender?
So we have a 19-grand prix (intended to be 20) season this year, with New Jersey (U.S.A) and Sochi (Russia) confirmed for 2014, that's 21 grand prix in total. With talks of Mexico looking extremely promising and likely, Thailand is also in talks but Cape Town in South Africa now looks unlikely. Bernie Ecclestone told City A.M, "the teams could probably deal with 22 races." Regardless, take a note of what races in what countries you think we could do without... I know what my money is on already!

7) Hamilton's Move To Mercedes
We've already mentioned Lewis' teammate battle with Nico Rosberg, but his move to Mercedes in general will still no doubt be a talking point throughout the year. Be expected to see a few reports each from the BBC, Sky and any other way you watch and keep track of F1 about this. Will he miss McLaren, blend quickly with his new team, get frustrated with the car, show his class against other drivers, win a race, get a pole position - so, so many questions to look out for!

Bianchi May Be Crucial To Beating Caterham & Has A Chance To Prove Force India Were Wrong Not To Sign Him

8) Can Marussia Overhaul Caterham?
...or can either of them score a point in their fourth season? Can you imagine if points only went to sixth place still like the olden days? Would be a certain no I think. I think everyone would like to see one of the teams get a point this year though.

Marussia very nearly overcame Caterham, until Petrov got an 11th at the last race in Brazil to overhaul 10th place. Caterham don't seem to be anywhere in winter testing, but Marussia's car looks like it has lots of room for improvement similarly to last year. Watch out for Marussia in the background! Britain's new boy and the very exciting Bianchi should be great.


9) Can Lotus Continue To Improve?

Whilst Sauber had a creditable sixth place behind the five big teams including four podiums, Lotus were the notable success story of 2012, improving from fifth to fourth in the constructors, many more podiums than the previous number of years and a well-deserved win with F1 returnee Kimi Raikkonen. It will be difficult to overhaul the top three teams Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari, but Lotus along with Mercedes have got the talent and resources to do challenge.

10) Will The Championship Go Down To Brazil Again?
Predictions? Yes. I really do. All experts say it's going to be closer than ever so, yes, why not. 

The Poster At The Penultimate Race In Austin, Texas; US Grand Prix 2012

Got any thoughts on these questions or you've got something we should all look out for this season? Please comment and share your thoughts! Look out for F1 Hub's next blog, which will be on predictions for the year! Like our facebook page for it to come to your news feed. 

Nick, F1 Hub